2002 World Cup Finals - Group E Matches
and Table

The Republic of Ireland
opened it's 2002 World Cup campaign with a Group E match against Cameroon
from Africa on 1st June in Niigata, Japan. There had been a lot of a speculation
on how the Irish would react to the major distraction caused by the infamous
Saipan Affair and to the absence
of inspirational captain Roy
Keane. Indeed the Irish began in a somewhat hesitant fashion and appeared
to lack confidence.

It was no great surprise
when the Irish fell behind to a goal from Patrick Mboma after 39 minutes.
In the second half the Irish team emerged with renewed belief and with
a real sense of purpose. Mick
McCarthy substituted Steve Finnan for Jason McAteer and the change
seamed to improve the Irish performance.

Just seven minutes into
the second half Matt Holland drove home an equaliser from the edge of
the Cameroon box following a period of Irish pressure. There were no further
goals, even though Robbie
Keane did hit the post late on. Under the circumstances a draw was
a good result for the Irish.

Next up for the Irish was
Germany in the second Group E match. The Germans, with a rich World Cup
pedigree, had won their first group match against Saudi Arabia 8-0 so
the Irish team was really up against it.

The Germans started the
match in menacing fashion and once again there was no great surprise when
Miroslav Klose took advantage of some hesitancy in the Irish defence to
put Germany 1-0 up. Although the Irish, and particularly Damien
Duff, played well and retained possession for long periods they couldn't
get an equalising goal.

Once again Mick McCarthy
make a decisive substitution bringing on Niall
Quinn and Steven Reid with about 15

Minutes remaining. Just
as it looked like the Irish were running out of ideas, and the Germans
were settling for a 1-0 win, Ireland pulled something from the Jack
Charlton football manual. With mere seconds remaining a long punt
up the pitch was nodded on by Quinn. Robbie Keane latched onto the ball
and he managed to squeeze the ball between Oliver Kahn's finger tips and
the inside of the German post. Another 1-1 draw for the Irish.

Following the breathtaking
finish to the German match the Irish were left with the task of beating
Saudi Arabia by two goals or more to be assured of qualifying for the
second round matches at the 2002 World Cup.

The Saudis had been thrashed
8-0 by Germany but had tightened their defence against Cameroon and only
lost 1-0. Ireland couldn't take anything for granted and had to approach
the match in a totally professional manner. Every thing was going to plan
when yet another Robbie
Keane goal gave the Irish an early lead in the eight minute.

Ireland had to wait until
defender Gary Breen steered the ball home following a Stephen
Staunton free kick 17 minutes into the second half for the second
goal. Damien Duff added the icing of a third goal when he fired through
the hands of Saudi goal keeper Mohammed Al-Daeyea with three minutes remaining.
In the end it was a comfortable win.

A German 2-0 victory over
Cameroon confirmed that Ireland had qualified for the second round of
matches in the 2002 World Cup. Mick McCarthy's men had defied the difficulties
of the Saipan Incident and their
missing captain to qualify for a Spain / Ireland
tie in Suwon, Japan on 16 June 2002.